As Thilanga Sumathipala asked for the fresh election with new regulations after another Court hearing took place on Monday, now another stalwart Nishantha Ranatunga has challenged former Sri Lanka Cricket Board (President) to first prove his innocence.
Sumathipala Led administration had to leave the SLC on May 31st, after former board secretary Nishantha Ranatunga filed a case against the validity of the election.
Hearing the case, Court of appeal, on Monday, sternly warned Sumathipala Camp for not Submitting the objections for the case by his lawyers. However, Sumathipala is on view that the ongoing court case has nothing to do with the SLC election anymore.
“This ongoing court case is totally academic, which was
Filed regarding the last elections” Sumathipala had said Cricket Age on Monday.
He further asked for the fresh election with new regulations without any further delay.
“As World Cup is around the corner, Honorable Sports Minister must conduct fresh elections with new regulations” Sumathipala had added further.
However, Nishantha, has once again made it clear that he has filed the court case against Sumathipala to prove his disqualification. In this scenario, Sumathipala must prove his innocence, instead of manipulating the judiciary.
On Monday, Cricket Age had sent a mail to Nishantha and asked for his statement. A day later, Nishantha has replied with his statement.
“In my view it’s important for Mr. Sumathipala to submit his counter objections and clear himself and prove his innocence. I have filed this case with all the evidences to prove his disqualification as per the sports law and SLC constitution. However, as usual he is trying to manipulate the judiciary by not submitting objection for nearly 4 months and now seeking for new elections” Ranatunga wrote in his mail.
Further, Nishantha praised Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha for his efforts to clean the SLC and at the same time accused Sumathipala for manipulating election committee.
“I agree with the Honorable Sports Minister in his efforts to introduce reforms. Good example is when i filed my objections to SLC appointed election committee for violation of sports law, they approved Sumathipala nominations and the procedure. however, based on the same evidences and facts, the judiciary accepted my submission and canceled the elections and proceed with the case.
It proves that elected body headed by Sumathipala manipulated the elections committee, which was appointed on wrongful manner” he wrote.
More importantly, Nishantha emphasized on the need for administrators with management skills, rather than looking toward former players all the time.
“In my view the cricket administration should not be limited to cricketers. we have won 2 world cups (1996 and 2014) under Ana Punchihewa and Jayantha Dharmadasa. both have not played the game at highest level, but has got the administrative and management skills. Certain changes by the former sports minister has forced cricket lovers and capable people to stay away from cricket management. it’s important to introduce the reforms and have the elections early” he concluded.
